Page 178 of Carnal Wagers

“What’s in the bag?”

“None of your business.”

“As long as you’re not moving in,” I grumbled under my breath as my phone rang in my pocket. Saved by the ringtone.

My jaw clenched at the sight of my middle brother’s name on the caller ID, but I’d take on the Love Knot Killer right now if it meant not dealing with the woman across from me.

“Excuse me, I have to take this. Enjoy the”—I waved my hand around at the accent pieces and furnishings in the living room—“décor. Alizé picked it.” Then I mumbled, “Argue about that.”

I strode into my office but left the door slightly open to keep the woman within eyesight, considering I trusted her as far as I could spit.

From the bar cart, I poured myself a finger of whiskey. This day required it.

“What do you want, Brody?” I answered.

“How is she?” The bland delivery about Alizé’s well-being revealed everything I needed to know about his true feelings.

“Do you care?”

“No.”

I released a heavy sigh. ’Course he didn’t.

“I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait, you’ll want to hear this.”

“You have ten seconds and counting.”

“You’re usually more patient.”

“And you’re usually more to the point.”

“I wasn’t wrong about your wife.”

I rolled my eyes. “Goodbye, Brody.”

The call ended with a brief tone, only to ring again with his face and name popping up on caller ID once more. I gazed down into my glass, the ripples along the liquor going fuzzy. I blinked hard, shook my head, and set the glass down. Jaysus, I was more tired than I thought.

“What?” I barked as I rubbed at the fatigue prickling my vision.

“Don’t hang up.”

“Then don’t insult my wife.”

Through the gap in my office door, Maeve peeked in, her rabid glare still pinned in place. For Alizé, I reminded myself. I forced a smile and waved, then gave her my back.

“This isn’t the time. I have a guest.”

“This is more important than your guest. Didn’t you hear me? Alizé’s involved, even if she doesn’t know she is.”

My stomach violently protested his words with a cramp that had me bending in half.

“What are you going on about now?” I gritted out.

I pulled at the collar of my shirt, suffocating under the ache. Between him and the best friend, I might need to get checked for an ulcer after today.

“That photo Liam sent me. I was looking at it all wrong.”